Project - Pre 75 XL250

[MX?]

All righty then...I've found me beast to be.


Now for some questions if I may:
Sounds like there must be a few people out there running these?
So can anyone help out with a list of things to spend money on...errr I mean that need doing.
I'm expecting to try and keep it more or less original in that I don't want to graft on the latest and greatest modern gear.
Any recomendations for new rear shocks? A 350 swingarm was already suggested - does this make a noticeable difference? and the front forks...any mods can be done here.

Hope to get the thing fired up tomorrow and see how it sounds. If she turns out to need major surgery is it worth getting flywheel lightened etc. while it's in bits? I'm hoping to get away with piston/head needing freshening up, maybe just the biggest OS OEM rings with cam/head work...any thoughts.

Thanks in advance

[Nathan S]

Shocks are easy: YSS. Bang for buck, nothing else goes close - and they give you several options regarding how many bucks you spend.

Looks like a pretty clean old girl - don't throw away the remaining road gear! Someone will want it for sure.

[Quicksilver]

 Restore it.  Rego it, ride it. Or whack in big bore kit, power pipe, carby mods and cain the hell out of it. 

[MX?]

Yeah, she's not not a bad thing. Been sitting in a shed for 10 years, but it's fired up and runs quite well.

So I may leave the engine alone for a while at least....just a pipe for the moment maybe.
Can you buy a pipe for these over here? though I guess it would be simple enough to have one bent up to suit. I've had an email from YSS so I'll give 'em a call re: shocks and fork springs.
I want to keep it looking like an XL so need to find a seat (Repro one at £350  ) on the net, and a tank....anyone have/know of one?

[LWC82PE]

you can get seat covers from NZ here
http://www.ecologicalinvestments.com/trade/

[MX?]

They look the duck's guts....but the seat pan on mine is knacked so I'm thinking I'll need a complete seat.

[fatboyracing]

Hi Mx,
I have a XL 350 and the best money I ever spent was $220.00 on gold valves for the forks now it has rebound and you can control the tank slap (just) .
A 420 kit allso was well worth the money for the extra power that helps keep up with the two strokers off the line.
My seat was well broken and i removed the foam and cut out the rust and migged it back up at least you then no what you have.
Gorby down here in Tassie is the man for XLs he has my motor at the moment and when i get it back it will be better than before, it will now be on the first oversize on the 420 kit as at the Classic nationals the poor old girl got a serious flogging and a long with a good dusting caused some serious damage to the bore.
He also has a fast xl 350 with a 405 kit in it ,gorby and myself have had many close races in the pre 75 class and I think results would be close to even.
Go for it turn your old 250 into a full blown racer you will enjoy it

Cheers
Fatboy

[MX?]

Fatboy Racing?? I've heard that name before...were you up at Santareena Park for the Modern event a couple of weeks ago? Would be good to catch up with some of you one day, I'm on the East Tamar. Be interested in some ideas on setting up etc.

[gorby]

close to even
I would be ahead by one win if someone had not pulled a desperate at a  bridport grasstrack and cut me off

you had better be nice to me fatboy or your motor will be resleeved and a XL 125 piston fitted

We welcome you to the gentlemans class MX? and will help you out however we can,no seats or tanks available sorry.

[holeshot buddy]

heres my big bore 250
back on the track after a year
its a beast
inch and three quarter mander pipe
ported  hot cam 
hi comp big bore piston about 320cc
38mm mikuni
i have had this bike for 8 years
have won many races on her
i have a shed full of bikes all types
but this one always puts a smile on my face
when i race her

[MX?]

We welcome you to the gentlemans class MX?

Why, thank you sir!
Maybe catch up with you at Golconda?

heres my big bore 250

Oh noice 
So how reliable are these old beastie's when breathed on?

[holeshot buddy]

mines been raced for 8 years
and only just blew up
you have too remember with them
not to overrev thats the biggest killer

[MX?]

Well I removed a bit of the excess weight today. 
Now to get it all together.



This is that swingarm I'm after (Or at least the 250 version) Guessing that the 350 item will be approx. 25mm longer.
114mm between the pivots (with sleeves still in) and approx. 466mm from centre of pivot shaft to rear of axle slot.


And seat underside

[gorby]

here are a couple of handy websites,plenty of info here

http://www.xlintperformance.com/

http://www.oldrice.com/xl_page.htm

[Nathan S]

The seat base looks pretty good.
Here's what can happen if you're desperate:



No its not sexy, but its more comfortable than sitting on frame rails...